As a result of several acts of violence, murders, and drive-by shootings at gas and service stations, Commissioner Cochran-Johnson has developed legislation to address these acts and ensure safety at high-risk business establishments throughout DeKalb County. Commissioner Cochran-Johnson’s legislation establishes guidelines for mandatory video surveillance at such locations with a minimum 4MP resolution for clarity of footage; requires minimum active video coverage of 75 feet; creates guidelines for video storage; gives visual notice of public of safety cameras; establishes fines for non-compliance; ties ability to renew business license to compliance; defines high-risk businesses for legal purposes; and, allows DeKalb County to extend such requirements to any business deemed high-risk to ensure public safety.
As a result of growing gun violence both locally and nationally, I have developed legislation to address these acts and ensure safety at high-risk business establishments throughout DeKalb County. My legislation outlines a comprehensive approach to gun violence in order to address this growing crisis that includes the adoption of common-sense gun control legislation, the enforcement of laws that govern the criminal misuse of guns, and the expansion of research. In addition, the resolution urges the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to restore funding removed under the Dickey Amendment for firearms and gun violence prevention research.
At present, Georgia is ranked #7 in the top 10 worst states for affordable housing by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Higher rents are a national phenomenon and in 2021 rental rates rose in 48 of the nation’s 50 largest metro cities, with the average monthly cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Georgia rising more than 20% in 2021. With this information and other extensive research, I have drafted legislation that will establish a rental registry that enables researchers and policymakers to study the business practices of corporate landlords so counties can respond with appropriate local measures. Moreover, it will implement broad-based tenant protections, as the growing rental affordability challenges point to the need for nationwide, broad-based tenant protections to limit rent increases, ancillary fees, and fines and to promote security of tenure to ensure that the property rights of landlords do not take priority over the fundamental role of housing in supporting the life, safety, and welfare of all citizens. In addition, it will urge me and my fellow colleagues to consider limiting the market share of corporate landlords, through legislation, as policymakers explore these possibilities to disincentivize their expansion, stabilize rent, and increase the pool of homes available for purchase by first-time buyers and families.